Decision details

The City Surveyor presented the report on a European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) grant that would support a two site project, providing a local decarbonised electricity supply with smart grid technology, demonstrating the deployment of renewable energy technologies. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) had sought proposals for European and Structural Investment Funds (ESIF) to support a shift towards a low carbon economy and an outline bid was accepted. Exeter City Council was invited to progress to full application which was detailed in the report. At this stage, State Aid Law dictated that the maximum grant contribution rate of 60% be limited to 45%.  Final approval of the project would go before the European Structural and Investment Fund Board in December.

Members supported the project which would increase electricity generation from carbon free sources and would help the Council to move towards energy neutrality. They thanked the Corporate Energy Manager for all her hard work in putting together the bid for this project.

RESOLVED that:-

(1)          the European Regional Development Fund project be supported;

(2)          the matching of the grant intervention rate as below for the total project cost of £3,635,649 be agreed;

ERDF Grant (45%)                 £1,636,054

            ECC Match funding (55%)      £1,999,595; and

(3)     the transfer of the remaining funds of £1,522,867 held in the Renewables and Energy Saving Capital programme to support the grant be approved; and

RECOMMENDED that Council approve:-

(4)        a new capital bid for the European Regional Development Fund project to match the funding gap of £478,000; and

(5)        the principle to utilise the site as detailed in the report and commence pre- planning discussions.